Sea waters hide evidence of the existence of ancient civilizations, the study of which can tell a lot about the history and development of mankind.
Creepy ghost
In November last year, a mystical image of a 16th century Roman Catholic temple swept around the world, the ruins of which suddenly emerged from the water in the Mexican state of Chiapas. The temple ceased to function in the 18th century due to the plague epidemic that broke out in the vicinity. In 1966, during the construction of the Nezahualcoyotl reservoir, the water level dropped by 25 meters, revealing the ancient temple of Santiago.
However, during periods of drought, the eerie ghost of the temple rises even higher above the surface, reminding us of ancient historical events. “There are hundreds of sunken cities and settlements in the world,” says Dr. John Henderson, an underwater archaeologist and assistant professor at the University of Nottingham. "But we are only now discovering what they can tell us about the prehistoric past of mankind."
Mythical Pacific Civilization
One of the most mysterious underwater cities in the world is the Japanese Yonaguni Monument, located near the southern edge of the Ryukyu archipelago. In 1987, a local scuba diver Kihachiro Aratake discovered on the seabed a monolithic stone pyramid of stepped shape with perfectly right angles, large steps and columns. Over the next years, other strange structures were found in this place.
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Some researchers are sure that these are the sunken remains of the mythical Pacific civilization Mu (or Pacifida). The continent on which she lived, according to legend thousands of years ago, was washed away by a tsunami.
Others believe that Yonaguni is a natural geological formation that arose from tectonic activity. Be that as it may, but travelers can solve it themselves, independently exploring the underwater mystery. Diving excursions to this amazing place are offered by local scuba diving clubs.
"Underwater finds are always romantically involved," adds John Henderson. - This is especially true of sunken settlements. Almost every human culture has a flood legend - from the epic of Gilgamesh to Atlantis and Noah's ark."
The sunken village of the Lake District
Most recently, in 2014, residents of the British city of Cumbria (in the north-east of England) were frightened by a strange sight. From the depths of the local reservoir, a small village unexpectedly came to the surface. Mardale Green, one of the area's most picturesque villages, was flooded in 1930 to make way for a body of water to serve the needs of neighboring Manchester.
Hundreds of residents were evicted from their homes, and farm buildings, pubs and even a church were demolished. But during periods of drought, a ghost village appears above the water, revealing the ruins of agricultural structures and stumps.
Suburb 5000 years ago
Pavlopetri is located under water just a few meters from the Peloponnese and is considered the oldest sunken city in the world. Pavlopetri was a wealthy trade center for 2 thousand years, until about 1000 BC. was not completely submerged in water.
“We are just beginning to realize the consequences of the fact that some 30 to 5 thousand years ago the sea level was significantly lower than today. Ancient civilizations lived on coasts around the world that used the most modern technologies of their time and were subsequently submerged,”says Henderson, who in 2011 led the filming of a BBC documentary in which Pavlopetri was recreated using digital maps and CGI.
The extremely thoughtful layout of this port city of the Bronze Age is especially attractive. Unlike many other underwater structures, Pavlopetri is undoubtedly the creation of the human mind. There are remnants of roads and two-story houses with courtyards and gardens, as well as an elaborate water supply system.
The search for lost civilizations "is instrumental in understanding the origins of our species, Homo Sapiens," notes Henderson. But it seems that despite all our technological achievements, the life of the modern peasant is not too different from the life of the first representatives of European civilizations.
Underwater Stonehenge
Seahenge in Norfolk is not a settlement, but nonetheless provides an insight into how ancient communities venerated their deceased ancestors. These mysterious remains of a prehistoric civilization, according to researchers, were part of a monumental complex that was used for funeral rites.
The mystical structure consists of fifty-five wooden pillars set in a dense circle. In the center is an inverted oak stump driven into the ground. Seehenge dates back to 2049 BC, but was first discovered only in the 1990s. It is located on a stretch of the English coast where the sea is receding from the coast at a rapid pace.
When myths become reality
India's breathtaking Coastal Temple, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, weathered the devastating tsunami in 2004. It has stood proudly on the coast of Tamil Nadu since the 8th century.
But a local legend says that six more temples once stood next to it, which were part of a wonderful ancient city, but the gods, out of envy, flooded it with water. The legend no longer seems to be fiction when a powerful tsunami in 2004 shook the coastline of India, revealing granite ruins resembling a huge lion.
Underwater research has shown that once there was a large complex of temples, which was most likely destroyed for natural reasons. to
Empress palace
In the late 1990s, a Franco-Egyptian team of archaeologists discovered off the coast of Alexandria the palace of the powerful Egyptian queen Cleopatra, which had stood in the murky waters of the Gulf of Aboukir for over 1,500 years.
Once under water, apparently as a result of earthquakes and tsunamis, just like the old Alexandria lighthouse, the palace hid thousands of artifacts, among which scientists have found statues of sphinxes, coins and amulets.
Now the museum is preparing to open, and soon its richest archaeological collection will become public property, as well as the world's first underwater museum.
Ancient Chinese Legends
An ancient Chinese legend tells of a ghost town under the waters of Lake Fuxiyan in Yunnan province, and locals claim that ruins are visible in the waters of the lake in calm weather
In 2001, an underwater archaeological team began exploring the bottom of the reservoir and discovered many man-made buildings, in particular eight pyramidal structures. The facilities are located on an area of 6.5 sq. km and, according to scientists, are part of the ancient kingdom of Dian, which mysteriously appeared under the waters of the lake about 2 thousand years ago.
Sin city
Port Royal was the center of the New World's maritime trade, which grew rich on the floods of slaves and sugar. In addition, it was the main base of the Caribbean pirates, as well as a market for their production. Port Royal enjoyed the fame of the most sinful city on earth. After long wanderings, the pirates returned home and spent money on food, alcohol, women and gambling. Orgies, violence and murder have become commonplace here.
But it all ended in 1692 when, as a result of a powerful earthquake - according to many, God's punishment for sins - most of the city sank under water. More than 2 thousand people were killed.
Now it is difficult to imagine that a huge city of the 17th century lies near the coast of a quiet fishing village, some parts of which have been perfectly preserved to this day.
An island that dissolves into waves
Along the northwestern border of Germany are the North Frisian Islands, which are being eroded by the North Sea currents crushing the German coast. The most famous of the islets is Sylt, whose long sandy beaches attract tourists from Germany and other European countries.
But the sandy paradise hides a dark secret. A few hundred meters from its western coast on the seabed is the settlement of Eidum. Because of its location, the village has always taken the brunt of the North Sea, which once completely wiped it off the face of the earth.